Words: Heather
Published: July 21, 2011

This is a proposal after my own heart! Coffee and romance, yes please! In fact, it was so stinken good, that we had to chat with Shane Bradley, the proposer in this modern day fairytale, to see what inspired him to create such a dreamy proposal for his wife-to-be, Mikaela. See Shane here re-created their first date at Starbucks down to the very last crumb; the comfy chairs, the exact drinks they ordered and his blueberry bar were awaiting their arrival!

Q) How long (days, months, etc) were you planning the proposal?

 

A) Mikaela and I were introduced through a mutual friend of ours. We had seen each other before at Mikaela’s work years prior and also a few times at Church. We corresponded via facebook and set up a first date at a local Starbucks that we both frequently attended (but never seemed to run into each other there) The one time that we did run into each other before we were ever formerly introduced she and a pastor from our Church were behind me in line and I bought their drinks as a “random act of kindness”. Our first date (months later) stretched into 4.5 hours but it only seemed like a short visit!

 

Q) How did you pull off your idea?

 

A) As you know Mikaela is a wedding photographer and will sometimes do styled bridal or engagement shoots. My idea for the proposal was to re-create our first date but in a “vintage-starbucks” type setting and have Mikaela shoot the detail shots of her own proposal because taking pictures is what she loves to do! I ensured that she would have her cameras and lenses with her by asking if we could go on a photo field trip date. I started planning the engagement about a month before the actual date (which of course was weather dependent). I found myself spending a lot of time at different Starbucks’ (not a stretch for me) getting ideas and strategizing how to make the proposal unique/accurate all while having a personal touch incorporating special things from our relationship. I collected items from thrift, vintage and retail stores and of course a lot of product from Starbucks. One of the baristas actually saw me brainstorming and purchasing and asked if I was planning a proposal!! I shrugged it off and said “something like that” still in disbelief that she had found me out!

 

Q) What encouraged you to propose in a creative way?

 

A) The day of I spent about 4 hours (with the help of friends) setting up and recreating our first date/outdoor Starbucks. I arrived with her at the location (a clearing in the woods behind a friend´s house) and led her by the hand down a path. As we approached I told her to close her eyes and let me guide her the rest of the way because this “amazing shoot location that she would want to use for a styled shoot” would be that much more spectacular if she did. When I told her to open her eyes she did so and was in total disbelief. “What is this?!?!” “I don´t understand” “what?!?!?” to which I replied “This is my styled shoot”. (I had mentioned that as one of goals to complete on my 101 in 1001 list). We walked toward the setup and I suggested that we “grab the comfy chairs”. We both sat down and I had the ring box hidden in the seat that I was to sit in. We sat for about a half minute or so taking it all in and then I asked if she recognized anything. She said “yes this is our first date”. Shortly after that I got down on one knee, took out the ring and asked her to marry me! “Ever since our first date I knew you were the one…I fall more and more in love with you every day…Mikaela will you marry me?” (I had tears coming down my cheeks and Mikaela was holding it together *she said because she was still in shock and disbelief*) She said “yes of course”…after a brief pause and we hugged. Then we got up and went for a tour of the “Starbucks” and started shooting detail shots. 10 minutes later some friends that helped with setup came in to congratulate followed by family and friends trickling in a short time later. From that point onward it was a coffee/tea/mocha and Starbucks treats party!! I put on a barista uniform and began making drinks!

 

Q) Did you have any friends, family, vendors to help you?

 

A) The day before I proposed I got a close mutual friend of ours (Andrea) to invite Mikaela out for tea at Starbucks while I went to her house to ask her father for his blessing to marry Mikaela. He said that I had his blessing and I told him and Mikaela’s Mom that the following day was the BIG day! I phoned around and invited close friends and family to join us for about 45minutes after I planned to pop the question.

 

Q) How did you budget for the ring and the proposal?

 

A) The ring is from Shane Co. in the US and was chosen believe it or not, not because of the name but because I was searching for a vintage style band/setting and Shane Co. happened to have the one that I thought Mikaela would love most. It is a round brilliant ¾ carat center diamond in white gold with a total of 29 diamonds all together. I used money from savings and also put aside money each month for 3 or 4 months. Total cost for the proposal was only about $600 but lots of personal time went into it.

 

Q) What was your fiancee’s favorite aspect of the proposal (besides getting engaged of course!)?

A) Mikaela’s favorite aspect of the proposal was the detailed/personalized signage and “pick of my life” card.

 

Design Elements for Proposal:

 

Table cloths were made from old burlap coffee bags. The Starbucks and “Wi-Fy” hanging signs were hand painted on old wood and the candle was made using a Starbucks sample cup and melted tea-lights. Cake Pop holder was made from old wood.

 

 

Menu board was handmade. Signage and “pick of my life card” were printed out at Bourquin Printers in Abbotsford. Picture on menu board is from our shoot with Robyn at www.robynmichelleleephotography.com.

 

 

The furniture is all authentic and was lent to me by a friend of a friend with a Starbucks connection. Starbucks apron and light-up display sign were purchased on E-bay.

 

 

Treat display case was made by modifying an indoor garden terrarium from Home Sense. Product display in front of vintage till was made with a modified desk organizer from Home Sense. All the treats and merchandise were bought at different Starbucks locations.

 

 

Loving these photos and proposal?! Check out more incredible photos and Mikaela’s side of the story at Mikaela Ruth Photography. Now that is how to pop the question!

 

Love,